206 THE REED WARBLER. 



quainted with tlicir song, never having lived in any neighbour- 

 hood where they visit, but I have been credibly informed that 

 they have none but a note like the chirping of the grasshopper ; 

 this may probably be tlie case, but I have often heard the 

 same report of some of our finest songsters, which people had 

 confused with very common birds, there being very few who 

 do not confuse, under the general name of white-throats, the 

 common fly-catcher, both white-throats, the greater pettychaps, 

 and the blackcaps, when young ; and many even confuse with 

 these the willow wren, wood wren, and lesser pettychaps ; this 

 tribe of birds being only summer visitants, are less known than 

 any others. 



These birds are not uncommon in several parts of England ; 

 they are said to be plentiful on Malmesbury Common, Wiltsliire, 

 in summer, where they breed; they are also frequently seen in 

 Norfolk and Suffolk, and in various other parts, where they 

 build their nest among some high grass or sedge, in which it is 

 so concealed that it is with difficulty found, except by watching 

 the old birds carrying food to their young ones ; or when build- 

 ing, they may be seen carrying materials to construct their nest. 



In a wild state these birds feed entirely on insects, such as 

 flies, moths, butterflies, spiders, ants ; and their eggs, small 

 beetles, and numerous other sorts, so that in confinement they 

 will frequently require insect food. 



THE REED WARBLER. 



Svlvia arundinacea, Latham ; La Fauvette des Roseaux, Buffon ; Der Teich- 

 sanger oder SumpfsSnger, Bechstein. 



This species has been confounded, not only with others 

 with a greenish plumage that are analogous, but in describing 



